Summary

As a Mechanical Engineer within the Division of Technical Resources (DTR), Technical Support Branch (TSB) you'll have significant impact in a dynamic organization, serving as a subject matter expert on piping and plumbing systems . Apply now! Join the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Research Facilities (ORF). For more information, visit NIH website.

This job is open to

• Individuals with disabilities
• Military spouses
• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. Foreign nationals or legal permanent residents are not eligible for consideration. This job is also open to USPHS Commissioned Corps Officers and Call-To-Active Duty (CAD) Candidates.

Duties

• Serve as a technical authority in plumbing design and specialized plumbing systems for research laboratories.
• Serve as a decision-making authority where the project requires alternative plumbing design solutions.
• Reviews design and construction documents of architectural/engineering (A/E) firms to the NIH Design Review Process to ensure compliance with the NIH plumbing design criteria in the Design Requirements Manual (DRM) and applicable codes, standards, and guidelines.
• Provides technical matter expert advice to other segments of NIH and contract architect-engineers on specialized plumbing systems, particularly those for buildings of major size and complexity.
• Leads feasibility studies, root cause analysis, special reports and investigations on problems related to building plumbing systems, user needs and testing requirements. Uses national codes and standards extensively to perform duties and justify decisions.
• Supports the Commissioning Process to ensure facilities perform as designed; provides analysis and recommendations for plumbing systems in need of repair or replacement.
• Maintains state-of-the-art knowledge in plumbing systems, current codes and standards in order to apply current technologies to policies in development.
• Update and revise the NIH Design Requirements Manual (DRM) and identify needs for new or revised policies.
• Performs site visits on construction projects to observe and report on technical features pertaining to all plumbing specialized systems.
• Translates highly complex technical information into "lay" terms that can be presented to upper-level management for programmatic and cost-effective decision-making.
• Provides subject matter training as necessary.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• This position has an education requirement. Transcripts are required.
• A one-year probationary period may be required upon selection.
• This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position. Please see Additional Information section.
• At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities. Please see Additional Information section.
• If selected, you will be required to sign a Financial Disclosure report. Please see Additional Information section.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for an Mechanical Engineer (Plumbing), GS-0830 position, you must have:

A. a degree in professional engineering from a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; OR

B. a degree in professional engineering that includes differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced that first-year physics and chemistry) in 5 of the following 7 areas of engineering science or physics: (1) statics, dynamics; (2) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (3) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (4) thermodynamics; (5) electrical fields and circuits; (6) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (7) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics; OR

C. be registered as a professional engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico; OR

D. be currently registered as an Engineering Intern (EI) or an Engineer in Training (EIT); OR

E. have successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.; OR

F. have successfully completed at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum as described above; OR

G. have successfully completed a curriculum that led to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology OR in an appropriate professional field, e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology AND at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

In addition to the above, to qualify for an Mechanical Engineer (Plumbing) position at the GS-13 level, you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: Designing mechanical engineering plans for plumbing or piping systems in new construction and renovation projects; performing complex technical calculations to identify the most economical and efficient procedures for mechanical project design and performance; managing projects for mechanical engineering construction or maintenance with a focus on plumbing and piping systems; and consulting with contractors to resolve complex, unforeseen mechanical problems and latent conditions of plumbing or piping systems developing during construction.

A combination of education and specialized experience that meets the qualification requirements for this position.

You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply:

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

• This position is designated as a "non-emergency/teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/teleworker" employee. In the event of a closure, you must be available to telework or request leave.
• At the supervisor's discretion, this position may offer work schedule flexibilities: telework (work from home on a regular basis or ad hoc basis but reports to the office at least once a week/two days a pay period), compressed schedules, flexible schedules.
• Work is primarily sedentary, but may require some bending, stooping, and standing to perform tests at various sites.
• A one-year probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.
• If selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE Form 450 to determine if a conflict or an appearance of a conflict exists between your financial interest and your prospective position with the agency. This information is required annually. For information, visit the NIH Ethics website: https://ethics.od.nih.gov/topics/fd.html.
• PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration
• We may make additional selections for similar positions within the commuting area(s) of the locations listed through this vacancy announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s). Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions.
• The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
• The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Visit our Applicant FAQs page for helpful information on the application process.
• Visit our Total Compensation page and this sample for a detailed look into the benefits, awards, leave, retirement, and other incentives employees may receive as part of a rewarding work environment.

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Review our benefits
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• 1. Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and practices of mechanical engineering, plumbing and related disciplines as they apply to the design and construction of biomedical research facilities.
• 2. Skill in reviewing and overseeing construction designs, plans, and projects for major plumbing engineering programs in biomedical research facilities.
• 3. Ability to provide technical advice, analysis, and oversight for design review and construction and commissioning of plumbing engineering projects.
• 4. Ability to review and develop policies, plans, reports, and strategies for technical reviews of design and construction projects.

If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application and responses to the online questionnaire will be evaluated under Category Rating and selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:

• Best Qualified - for those who are superior in the evaluation criteria
• Well Qualified - for those who excel in the evaluation criteria
• Qualified - for those who only meet the minimum qualification requirements

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Applicants determined to be Best Qualified will be referred for further consideration. Preference eligibles in the Best Qualified category are referred before all other applicants.

To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Ensure you support your self-ratings by the information you provide in your application. We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as having knowledge of your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin prior to receiving an offer.

To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least an 85 on the assessment and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Review our benefits
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
• Required Documents
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, te